PoetDiplomatKorean20th century

Ko Chang-soo

Distinguished Korean poet and diplomat Ko Chang-soo made significant contributions to literature as a poet and translator, and to international relations through his diplomatic service.

1. Life

Ko Chang-soo's personal journey is marked by a strong foundation in his early life and a dedicated pursuit of higher education, culminating in a doctoral degree that informed his later literary endeavors.

1.1. Birth and Early Life

Ko Chang-soo was born on December 5, 1934, in Hungnam, a city now located in North Korea. His early life experiences laid the groundwork for his future career in both diplomacy and literature.

1.2. Education

He pursued advanced studies at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, South Korea, where he earned a Doctor of Letters degree. His doctoral dissertation focused on the intricate Buddhist thoughts found within T. S. Eliot's renowned work, Four Quartets. This academic background in comparative literature and philosophy deeply influenced his poetic style and thematic explorations.

2. Career

Ko Chang-soo's professional life is characterized by a dual career path, serving his nation as a diplomat while simultaneously establishing himself as a prominent figure in the Korean literary scene.

2.1. Diplomatic Career

Ko Chang-soo served as a career diplomat for South Korea, holding several significant international posts. His diplomatic service included roles as the Consul General in Seattle, Washington, in the United States. He also served as the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ethiopia from 1987 to 1990, and later as the Ambassador to Pakistan from 1993 to 1996. Additionally, he held the position of International Cultural Cooperation Ambassador for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2.2. Literary Career

Parallel to his diplomatic responsibilities, Ko Chang-soo maintained an active and influential presence in the literary world. He is a member of several prestigious Korean literary organizations, including the Korean Writers Association, the International PEN Korean Center, the Korean Poets Association, and the Contemporary Korean Poets Association. He is also a member of the Diplomatic Association and serves as an advisor for Dasiohll Literature. His poems have been featured in notable literary journals such as World Poetry, Viewpoint 11, and Curious Cats.

3. Literary World

Ko Chang-soo's contributions to the literary world extend beyond his original poetic creations to include significant translation work, showcasing his unique artistic vision and commitment to cross-cultural literary exchange.

3.1. Poetic Style and Themes

Ko Chang-soo's poetry is written primarily in Korean and is notable for its reflection of his profound knowledge of Western culture and literature. This influence is evident in poems such as "To Marc Chagall." His works also deeply examine and reflect on his experiences in Korea, as seen in "In a Remote Korean Village," and his travels and observations in other parts of the world, exemplified by his long poem, "Mohenjo-Daro." Many of his poems are set in outdoor environments, often placing the poet himself within these natural settings, though this is not a universal characteristic of his entire body of work.

3.2. Translation Work

A significant aspect of Ko Chang-soo's literary career is his dedication to literary translation. He has personally translated much of his own poetry into English, making his work accessible to a broader international audience. Furthermore, he has translated other Korean poetry into English, contributing to the global dissemination of Korean literature. His efforts in this field were recognized with the prestigious Modern Korean Literature Translation Award. Some of his poetry has also been translated into Spanish.

4. Publications

Ko Chang-soo has published several collections of his own poetry and has also contributed as a translator for other Korean poets.

  • What the Spider Said: Poems of Chang Soo Ko. Translated by the poet himself. (2004)
  • Between Sound and Silence: Poems of Chang Soo Ko. Published by Hollym in Elizabeth, NJ, and Seoul. This collection, released in 2000, features poems in their original Korean alongside English translations by Ko Chang-soo.
  • Sound of Silence: Poems. Published by Leo Books in 1996.
  • Seattle Poems. Released by Poetry Around Press in Seattle in 1992.
  • Park, Je-chun. Sending the Ship out to the Stars: Poems of Park Je-chun. Translated from the Korean by Ko Chang-soo. Published by the East Asia Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, in 1997.

5. Awards and Recognition

Ko Chang-soo has received numerous accolades and awards throughout his career, recognizing his significant contributions to poetry and literature both in Korea and internationally.

5.1. Major Awards

His notable literary prizes and honors include:

  • The 19th Shimunhak Award in 1994.
  • The 1st Poets' Choice Award in 2002.
  • The 1st Baum Literature Award in 2008.
  • The 26th Sungkyun Literary Award (main prize) in 2013.
  • The 3rd Moon Deok-su Literature Award in 2017.
  • The Lucian Blaga International Poetry Festival Grand Prize in Romania.
  • The Modern Korean Literature Translation Award.
  • Various other Korean poetry prizes.

6. Impact

Ko Chang-soo's unique career, blending the rigors of diplomacy with the creative expression of poetry, has had a notable impact on both cultural exchange and the literary landscape. Through his diplomatic roles, he fostered international understanding, while his poetry and translation work served as a bridge between Korean and global cultures. His ability to weave together diverse cultural elements and personal experiences within his verse, coupled with his dedicated efforts to translate Korean literature, has enriched the global literary dialogue and introduced Korean poetic sensibilities to a wider audience. His dual contributions underscore the profound connection between cultural diplomacy and artistic expression.